Feast for the Senses: The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Plymouth

We’re revisiting Plymouth this Festive Season as part of a special instalment of our Great Western Railway-sponsored series exploring the cultural landscape across the South West, West and South Wales. This guide, starting from Plymouth Station, is the ideal festive planner for navigating the city and surrounding areas, perfect for locals and visitors alike, thanks to GWR’s extensive network. With London Paddington just three hours away and various ways to save on tickets this season, we encourage you to make Plymouth your festive getaway.

Get your Exhibition Kicks

First up, no trip to Plymouth would be complete without visiting The Box, a major visitor attraction in the city centre. The Box, which comprises several buildings and hosts numerous exhibitions running simultaneously, has something to please the whole family. For the ArtRabbit team, this season’s highlight is Land Sea Sky: Ingrid Pollard, JMW Turner and Vija Celmins, a major exhibition exploring how three different artists are interconnected through their fascination with nature. Each skilfully uses materials to capture nature’s essence, despite their practices spanning more than 200 years.

Other highlights at the same venue include Paul Rooney - Broken Token, a two-screen film in which a sailor’s lament serves a starting point to explore the veteran experience, and Osman Yousefzada - When will we be good enough?, a major new installation that will be on show until March 2025.

For more contemporary art, Bloomberg New Contemporaries is currently on display at MIRROR and KARST. The exhibitions close on 7 December, however, so make a plan to visit soon.

Shop Local at Maker Markets & Festive Fairs

As we explored in our Plymouth Art Guide earlier this year, Plymouth is a city abundant with maker and artist-led spaces. Throughout winter, craft markets and fairs offer the opportunity to buy locally made homewares, jewellery, original artwork, and more. With a coffee or mulled wine in hand, take in the city’s creative aura with a trip to one of our selected events.

A major creative hub for makers and small businesses, Royal William Yard will be holding six Festive Good Food and Craft Markets through December, giving you plenty of opportunity to arrange a trip to Plymouth.

Also at Royal William Yard is the Real Art Make Print (RAMP), which is hosting their Native Makers Market over two weekends at Ocean Studios. With Flameworks makers showcasing their skills and a number of bookable workshops on offer, you might even leave with a Christmas present you’ve handcrafted. Highlights include tea towel printing and linocut Christmas cards.

Enjoy an Immersive Experience

Real Immersive at Plymouth Market Hall will be holding a number of events over the Christmas period. If you’re in the city on 22 December, make sure you visit a special showing of a co-created immersive film, Rainbow Aurora & Into The Fruit Bowl. Created with pupils, parents/carers and teachers from Cann Bridge School and Woodlands School, it's a great example of the innovative use of new technologies in engaging the community. Additionally, the festive film The Longest Night: A Winter’s Tale on 1 December, is a timeless fable of courage, generosity, and renewal. Both offer a perfect break from your Christmas shopping and a chance to enjoy the simplicity and beauty of the audio-visual experience.

Experience Christmasses of Old

If it’s tradition you’re seeking come December, look no further than the National Trust’s Buckland Abbey, which is hosting Viking Yule. Easily accessible by bus from Plymouth Centre, a trip to Yelverton is well worth it if you’re spending more than a day in the city.

A festive feast for all your senses, the abbey’s great hall will be decked out in fir trees from the grounds and a roaring fire, featuring decorations that take you back 1,000 years. On 14 and 17 December, the air will be filled with the aroma of an ancient feast, as the National Trust’s historical cooking team showcases Viking recipes with a live cooking demonstration.

Just a short bus ride from Plymouth’s city centre, reaching National Trust Saltram takes less than an hour. Christmas at Saltram is a grand affair: the magnificent interiors are fully decked out, with a range of family-friendly activities on offer.

Next Stop, Plymouth: Contemporary Art & Iconic Public Sculpture in Britain’s Ocean City

If you want to revisit our Contemporary Art Guide for Plymouth, read this piece next: Next Stop, Plymouth: Contemporary Art & Iconic Public Sculpture in Britain’s Ocean City

For more family friendly and festive activities in Plymouth, see Visit Plymouth.

→ The South West Art Travel Companion: A GWR-Partnered Guide to Exploring the South West, West, and South Wales

Thanks to our partnership with GWR, this guide brings the art-filled landscapes of the South West, West, and South Wales to your doorstep. Travel from one art exhibition to another, discovering how art transforms within the context of its environment. Embrace the convenience of booking ahead and travelling during quieter times with GWR Railcards, tailored for explorers young and seasoned. Plan your journey here.

→ More exhibitions and events in Bristol, Exeter, Falmouth, Swansea, Plymouth and more

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